Bucs RB Sims facing ankle surgery

Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims will miss at least a significant portion of his rookie season due to an ankle injury that will require surgery.

Sims, Tampa Bay's third-round pick in the 2014 draft, sustained the injury during practice on Tuesday and is scheduled for surgery on Saturday. The Buccaneers have estimated his recovery time to be between 12-to-14 weeks.

The Buccaneers have not yet indicated whether Sims will be placed on season- ending injured reserve or be designated as the club's lone eligible to return player.

Considered one of the top receiving backs of this year's draft class, Sims had been slated to be used primarily in a third-down role this season. The 23- year-old caught 203 passes during his collegiate career, spending the first three seasons at Houston before transferring to West Virginia in 2013.

Sims had three receptions, totaling 32 yards, and rushed for 13 yards on six carries in Tampa Bay's preseason opener at Jacksonville.